GATS

[dave9999]

Has anyone attended The Great American Train Show? It's coming to Pensacola, Fl
December 27 & 28. I'm planning to go, but I'm not aware of the details. Is it a swap meet
type of event? Or is it mostly retailers? Any info would be appreciated. Dave

[Anonymous]

I've been to the one in my town. They usually have one or three layouts set up (mostly HO). There are reatailers, and if I remember correctly there were some "swapers" there too. Hope this helps. :)

[dehusman]

75% retailers, 20% portable/modular layouts, 5% swappers.

[Anonymous]

I recently attended my first GATS in Springfield, MA. I was EXTREMELY dissapointed by how small it was. Their ad's say 200 tables and layouts and there wasn't 40 tables, and a LOT of empty space. Of course, I have to admit, this was in the same location where I attend the Amherst show in Febuary where they have THOUSANDS of tables and several ACRES of layouts running. Maybe I was expecting too much

[tomwatkins]

I've been to several of them, in Knoxville Tn. and Atlanta. The one's I've been to were mostly retailers and layouts. Not much swapping. They had some pretty good deals. I'm going to one next week in Atlanta.

Tom Watkins

[Anonymous]

I went to one in El Paso a few years ago (missed others ever since), but I remember seeing this:
4 modular layouts (3 HO, 1 Ntrak)
a medium sized traction layout
a Lionel layout for the kids to operate
an Sn3 display
20+ small layouts & dioramas
several retailers
about 5 swappers
a tiny 1:400 scale layout
G and O scale displays
... and that's all I remember.

[preceng]

I've been to them, but have found that the Greenburg shows are better - larger (in my area anyway). I think these shows are now all by the same people ( ? ). Whatever. Anyway, I don't think it is a bad way to spend your day. I have found some great deals at each. And who among us does not enjoy just being in the room with all that stuff?

Enjoy

[AggroJones]

I been going to GATS in Sacramento every chance I get. But the last few years have been dissapointing. No good HO layouts. People charging too much for their junk. Theres not as much "good" stuff there as it would seem. Alot of garbage, extremely old, and/or damged items. Plus, the number of vendors drops every time the GATS comes. Lots of blank floor space.

[Anonymous]

I have attended several over the years. My sister and her husband, my wife, and I like to make a day of it. My sister and wife aren't train enthusiasts but they don't intend to be train widows, either! I think it is good entertainment even without finding anything that I especially want to buy. I like to look at the memorabilia as well as the models.

[Anonymous]

I attend one of the GATS shows in my area every year in St. Louis (including nearby Wentzville and Collinsville). I have been both an attendee and an exhibitor. Mostly I go because it allows me access to a larger variety of products from vendors across many states. It is the only show of its kind and size in St. Louis. Greenburg has been here only once, that I can remember.

I would say that how many layouts are displayed, and vendors/swappers with tables in attendance depends a lot upon the location of the show, the date of the show, the price for a table (vendors), and how successful the show has been at that location in the past.

Try it once. If you are dissatisfied don't attend at that location next year. Try a different location if one is nearby. It may be a better show.

BTW: log onto the GATS website (www.gats.com) and you can get a $1.00 off coupon to enter the show. You may also get free entry if you subscribe or renew a Model Railroader subscription from their web site.

Dale B.

[dave9999]

I went to the Pensacola GATS this weekend. Its the first one I've been to.
I think I did pretty good. I got the following:

1. Five 86' Hi-Cube boxcar kits (Athearn) @ $6.00 ea.
2. Athearn RTR 40' quad hoppers- set of six with different road numbers and
coal loads. $63.99 (that’s $10.66 each)
3. AMI Instant Roadbed: Two 30' rolls for $17 ea.
4 A LOT of Woodland Scenics foam risers and inclines for about half
of retail.
5. Rotary tool w/60 assy. for $25.
6. Four Customline turnouts for $9.00 Ea
And a Ahrens-Fox fire truck thrown in for free.

Also the PMRC was there with N and HO layouts as well as clubs from
New Orleans, Mobile Al and Fort Walton Beach Fl. There was a huge
garden layout and a Lego layout(quite impressive actually).
This show had an entire building for booths and a separate building for
the layouts.

With all that said I was satisfied with the show. Dave

[Anonymous]

Dave:

I attended the GATS in San Diego in early December and was very disappointed by it. In a single word it was "threadbare". About 60 vendors, 20 or so selling railroad associated items. Of the remaining 40 nearly all were selling at retail or above prices for either RTR or shake the box kits. One or two had what might be called 'craftsman' kits, mainly discontinued stock at prices above what you can get them for on the internet. Likely those with contemporary era themed layouts were able to cull something useful from the bargain bin/junk pile loss-leaders some of the sellers had.

I wrote it off to 'education' and went home early. I wouldn't attend again.

Randy

[dharmon]

Sounds like the Pensacola GATS was better than the San Diego one. I had mixed reviews and would have been kind of disappointed had I not gone with our club and had to pay for admission and parking which was pretty steep at the location. From a observer perspective it was good with several nice displays HO, N, G, a circus display and a traction display. But from a buyer point of view, it was not what I had experienced at GATS before in other locatons. I did manage to pick a few odds and ends at decent prices, but really didn't knock much off my "be on the look out for a good deal on" list. Most of the folks were the "professional" vendors that travel show to show, and although better than the LHS pricewise, comparable to what coulod be found on the internet I still prefer swap meets for that stuff. I am one of those whiny, complaining modelers that wants everything I want to be there, at the price I want to pay..and won't be satisfied unless it is like that. [:)]

[AntonioFP45]

Went to the GATS in Tampa 2 weeks ago with 3 very close friends. I kept in mind all the "negative" letters that I've read on a thread similar to this one. VERY ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE! Spent 5 hours there! I met some VERY FRIENDLY and HELPFUL vendors from up North and from Texas as well as from within Florida. Got business cards with e-mail addresses. One of my friends bought a brand new Atlas unit that normally retails for "100 plus dollars" for $45!! We double checked to make sure it was new! We did see some items that were overpriced while I saw many others with low or incredibly reasonable prices. You must "make the rounds" to look at everything before you buy or make a judgment call. My other friend bought an entire DCC system for 1/3 the price as well as 2 Walthers locomotives.

I found a lot of detail parts that our local hobby shops have had on "back order" forever.
There was one guy selling "junk" dirt cheap but I look at it as kitbashing material. The deals the were there more than made up for the lack of "lots of layouts". There were also vendors selling beautiful railroad related art, shirts, deco, etc.

I feel that I got more than my money's worth! I'm sorry guys, no offense, but some of you that sound like "nitpickers" are probably below the age of 30. I'm 40 and I can tell you that in the 70s and early 80s we sure didn't have all of the "sweet choices" that we have now. For HO scale, If you wanted high detailed models with "see thru" grills, you bought brass, did a lots of scratch building or major modifying. Things like: Code 83, Shinohara, Kato, Proto, Spectrum, DPM Kits, Mars/Gyra light kits, RTR Kits, A-LIne motor kits, and DCC/Sound WERE NON EXISTENT! I guess that's why my perspective may be a little different from yours, but again keep sharing info and enjoy this hobby because I have seen it progress tremendously. Enjoy, God Bless.

I'm looking forward to the next GATS as well as checking out the Greenburg shows which are supposedly better!

[dave9999]

Maybe I should add that there was more than enough booths with over priced items and a few
coffee mug type vendors. I just browsed on through these. Most of the items I picked up I could
have purchase online for about the same price. But I dont care for online shopping(security risk
and all). Prices were better than LHS. All and all I feel I got my money's worth and parking was
free. The show will not be here next year, but will be in Mobile Al, which is only 50 miles from
here, and I will plan to attend. I appreciate everyone’s input. Thanks Dave

[Morpar]

The one thing I would recommend that nobody else has covered is to do your research. The last onhe I went to, I had a list of the things I wanted and what they cost. I spent about 2 hours on the net searching around, but I didn't feel like I was going to get taken. If you are of limited funds like the rest of us, this can save you a fair amount of money. For example, I saw a Rivarossi Allegheny for sale for $410. Not bad compared to Walthers ($500), but I had found it for $335 on line. Even with the $8 shipping it's a lot cheaper.
Also, don't hesitate to haggle with people over the price. You might just save a few bucks, so you can spend it on something else! One guy had a Bowser 4-8-4 for $140. I got him down to $100 plus he threw in the superdetail kit (list for another $40). I was then able to buy 3 Bachmann N&W passenger cars with the money I saved. If they don't want to come down, and the item isn't that great, walk away! I agree with the statement to look around at everything before you buy too. I've gotten hosed by buying right off, then finding it cheaper later on! But, if you have a list and prices, and find a screaming deal, grab it while you can. If you don't someone like me might! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

The GATS shows used to be very good. Over the past couple of years the quaqlity of the shows has declined significantly. the number of vendors has decreased, and the merchandise that is sold is sold at premium prices. If I am going to pay that kind of money, I'll support my LHS. The ads always refer to some huge amount of vendors that will be there. These adds show that there is little if any truth in advertising.

[Anonymous]

"The GATS shows used to be very good. Over the past couple of years the quaqlity of the shows has declined significantly. the number of vendors has decreased, and the merchandise that is sold is sold at premium prices. "

This being said, Should I attend the Arlington, TX show this weekend? Anyone know if this is going to be a good show, or just another lie from GATS? I am from out of town and will be in the metroplex this weekend. Any DFW model railroaders know the deal on this show? Thanks

Dave

[Anonymous]

Dave:

As you can tell from the posts on this topic: what you get is largely a function of what you want.

I do pre-WWI era with scratchbuilding or craftsman style kits; thus I found little to nothing of interest in the San Diego GATS.

Antonio and Dave9999 have other interests and found interesting buys in their venues.

In fairness I suggest you attend the show and see for yourself.

Good Luck and have fun.

Randy

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wrxlep


This being said, Should I attend the Arlington, TX show this weekend? Anyone know if this is going to be a good show, or just another lie from GATS? I am from out of town and will be in the metroplex this weekend. Any DFW model railroaders know the deal on this show? Thanks

Dave

Dave,
I would tell you to go. If you don't like it, you will only be out 7bucks and a couple of hours of your time. Let us know how it turns out. Dave

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wrxlep

"The GATS shows used to be very good. Over the past couple of years the quaqlity of the shows has declined significantly. the number of vendors has decreased, and the merchandise that is sold is sold at premium prices. "

This being said, Should I attend the Arlington, TX show this weekend? Anyone know if this is going to be a good show, or just another lie from GATS? I am from out of town and will be in the metroplex this weekend. Any DFW model railroaders know the deal on this show? Thanks

Dave

Go...like the gent said...the worst you are is out a few bucks for admission and parking (maybe). You'll see some layouts and get some ideas. Make a list of the stuff you want and the prices you can get them the lowest for on the internet or LHS and go to town. The best case is you come away with a bag full of loot and enough ca***o pick up a burger on the way home...a whataburger that is....a double with jalapenos.[:p]

[Anonymous]

Hey all,

Thanks for the input on the show. Dharmon, I agree completely about the Whataburger.....I miss it so much now that I live out of texas! Nothing like a Whataburger at 2 in the morning, or some fre***aquitos.......yum

[JEIERMANN]

I agree about the San Diego 2003 GATS show. Getting thinner each year, but a good place to check things out. Worth the admission in some ways if your interested in seeing many modular layouts and observing their quality. Gives me a benchmark to look for or avoid. I'll still attend as also get to any swap meets around the San Diego area. The more you see the more you learn and occasionaly learn something or find a great buy.

[Anonymous]

Hey guys,

Well, I went to the GATS Arlington, TX show this morning. And after paying 5 dollars for parking, then 6 dollars for admission (had the dollar off coupon), I spent a total of an hour and a half in the show. I think I saw about 4 dealers TOTAL (YES 4!) that had new HO cars, loco's etc. There was 1 modular HO and 1 N layout. The rest was basically junk, with a few other dealers in the larger scales. Many of the prices were no better than many of the LHS's in the area that I have visited. Very few RTR cars, mostly old athearn blue box, and Bachman(!)... It was very very sparce.....extremely disapointed. I am thinking this will be my only and last GATS show I attend! I guess I can wrap this up as a learning experience. I did find a car, so I guess it wasnt all for not, however, I dont think this justifies paying 11 dollars to get in to buy it......Oh well, Im boycotting GATS from now on with their misleading advertising (100's of tables, etc) Yes, there were probably 100 tables set up, with each dealer taking 5 or 6! If anyone is considering going, dont!

Take care,

Dave